Honours even in close contest at Crosby as Linnets recover early deficit
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
After a heavy defeat and comfortable victory in their first two friendlies, Runcorn Linnets completed a full set of results by taking a well-earned 1-1 draw in the third at Marine Travel Arena.
Having fallen behind in only the fourth minute to opponents from two steps higher, Runcorn recovered well - equalising from the penalty spot before the half hour and matching their National League North hosts all the way.
They showed good shape, discipline and organisation out of possession, despite an ever-changing line-up, and caused the Mariners enough problems going forward.
The game could hardly have started any worse for the visitors, who were caught out by the deceptive movement of Conor McAleny, who engineered a right-foot shot for himself from just outside the box.
The finish by McAleny, a summer capture from Harrogate Town was low, hard and true into the right corner.
Although identification of the home side (playing in shirts without numbers), was problematic, McAleny clearly stood out early on.
The Crosby outfit had the majority of shots in the first half but mostly from outside the box or from out wide and 'keeper Calvin Hare judged his angles well.
Linnets, meanwhile, found space on both flanks through Noah Roberts on the left and Elliot Morris on the right.
Matty Rain and Ollie Southern, who was at first unrecognisable because of a new blond hairstyle, set up crossing opportunities with through passes from full back.
In contrast to Tuesday's victory at Euxton Villa when Runcorn opened with a plethora of trialists, the away side were this time at their strongest in the first half. But their performance didn't suffer for widespread changes after the break.
They had bedded into the contest to level in the 29th minute. The referee awarded Linnets a penalty for a 29th-minute push on Lewis Buckley.
Dec McLoughlin stroked it home down the middle.
Morris thought he had put Runcorn ahead early in the second half, threading the ball inside the near post, only to see a flag raised for offside.
After the hour, Marine had loud spot-kick claims for a challenge on Charlie Jolley turned down by the referee.
The contest remained very even but Harry McGee, on as a substitute, could twice have snatched victory for Linnets.
After being set up by Buckley, who had a ding-dong battle with Marine's centre half, McGee drove just wide.
The midfielder's second attempt cleared the bar, bringing the fairest outcome to the close game.
After their best showing of the warm-up campaign so far, given the stature of the opposition, Runcorn head to Ashton Town on Tuesday.
A team managed by ever-popular former Linnets striker Kevin Towey await.
This time Runcorn will carry the two-division advantage.
